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“Our cab should be here shortly,” I murmur to Alessia.
“I will go and change.”
“Don’t take too long.” I give her a wolfish grin, and she has the grace to blush. She hurries out of the venue, followed by her mother, and I find Joe and Tom standing by the makeshift bar.
“Trevethick, as weddings go, this has been a good one. Different,” Tom says.
“Yeah. It’s cool, bro.” Joe claps me on the back. “You look happy. Don’t let your mother kill your buzz.”
“I won’t. Thanks for coming. May do this all again in the summer. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Marrying the same woman twice in the same year? That must be some kind of record,” Joe observes dryly.
I nod my agreement and turn my attention to my family. Rowena is in a deep conversation with Heath. He’s looking intensely at her, his expression grave as she speaks. He nods as if in agreement and glances at me, a calculating look on his face. He flushes, embarrassed to be caught looking my way, and promptly turns his attention back to my mother. He laughs at something she says and strokes her cheek.
There are certain things a man shouldn’t see. His mother canoodling with a man half her age is one of them.
In disgust, I focus on Maryanne, who is talking to one of Alessia’s cousins. I think it’s Agnesa, who did Alessia’s hair and makeup. They’re having an animated conversation. Caroline is staring at… me! She gets up.
Shit. I don’t want or need any more drama from her.
She sidles up to me, and I know she’s had too much to drink.
“Caro, s’up?” I ask, my heart sinking.
“Stop being an arse,” she snaps.
“What?”
“You know what!”
I stare at her, trying to convey how monumentally she fucked up disclosing our personal shenanigans to Alessia. Alessia didn’t need to hear that from her.
She should have heard it from me.
But I’m tired of being pissed at Caro.
“I’m leaving shortly. What is it?” I ask.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes. Honeymoon. It’s traditional.”
“Where are you going?”
I make a face. Like I’m going to tell you.
She huffs but doesn’t press me. “I just wanted to say sorry. Again. Are you going to ignore me forever?”
I sigh. “I’ll see. You fucked up, Caro. You need to stop that.”
“I know,” she says quietly, and she nudges me with her shoulder in a most un-Caroline show of affection that it makes me chuckle. I put my arm around her and kiss her hair.
“Thanks for coming to my wedding.”
“Thank you for inviting me.” She makes a face… because I didn’t. “Am I forgiven?” she asks.
“Just.”
“Maxim, might I have a word?” It’s my mother.
Hell.
She looks pointedly at Caro, who nods and moves off to give us some privacy.
“Rowena.”
“I’ll be brief. I wish you every happiness.” My mother’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “On the plus side, this young girl will inject new DNA into our gene pool, but she has no idea what she’s signed up for. You could at least enroll her in some etiquette lessons, so she doesn’t make a complete fool of herself or you when you’re in company. Or perhaps send her to finishing school. She might have a hope then.”
“Thank you for your concern, Mother. I’m quite sure Alessia will hold her own.”
“I’d be happy to pay. My wedding present to the two of you.”
I manage, by some miracle, to hold on to my temper.
“It’s a tempting offer, thank you, Mother. But we’re good.”
“The offer stands and I’ll see you in London when you’re back from your honeymoon. I’ll have more to say on this whole… debacle then.”
“I can’t wait.” I smile—a smile so fake I think I’m going to crack wide open.
She raises her cheek to me, which I brush with the briefest of kisses, and she turns to Heath. “Let’s go, darling.”
* * *
Shpresa helps Alessia out of her dress and her veil. “Darling girl, you looked so beautiful today.”
“Thank you, Mama. And thank you for all your hard work.” She hugs her tightly, trying to convey her gratitude for everything over the last few days.
“You will come and visit, yes?” her mother asks, a desperate tang to her voice.
“Of course, Mama,” Alessia says, trying to fight back her tears. “And you know, my offer, our offer, if you want to come with us… and…”
Her mother holds up her hand. “My heart, Jak and I will be delighted to visit you in England once you’re settled.” She’s adamant.
Alessia sighs and hugs her mother again. “The invitation is still there. Whenever.”
“Thank you,” Shpresa responds. “Now, let me help you into this new dress.”
* * *
Alessia reappears in our makeshift wedding venue looking radiant. She’s changed into a simple emerald dress that clings… everywhere.
Fuck.
My body tightens.
Everywhere.
She’s simply stunning. Her hair is in its elegant updo, although some tendrils now frame her beautiful face. She’s clutching her bouquet when I reach her side and take her free hand. As I do, all the anger I’d been feeling at my remaining parent fades away. “You look lovely,” I whisper. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress.” It’s then that I notice a slit up one side, and I catch a glimpse of her stockinged thigh and high-heeled shoes.
